Lauren Benali, Social Media Team Leader and Content Writing Co-Ordinator for the TESYouth Jumpstart Project shares her TESYouth experience
“I first started volunteering for TesYouth in the Spring of 2019, looking to gain experience in a
Communications or Media related role. What struck me instantly about working to promote TesYouth’s ‘Jumpstart’ programme was the ethos on boosting employment opportunities for 18 to 25-year-olds, who I believe are too often dismissed as “snowflakes” and lambasted by generational bias in relation to obtaining work.
While many assume that strong qualifications equate to a great first job, many forget the challenges that are faced with breaking into competitive sectors. Companies are often too reluctant to take the opportunity on young people who lack noticeable skills and potential heightened by maturity and practice.
This is what happened to me.
After completing my English Literature degree in 2014 a strange mix of optimism and fear clung to me as I realised that I had finished the very thing I had spent the last 3 years battling through. One dilemma kept reciting in my head: what now? With my own confidence shattered I eventually fell into working in the administrative sector due to convenience and then struggled in my future years to jump into the ideal role I wanted to be in.
That was until I made the leap to apply to volunteer. Now working for TesYouth I feel positive knowing that what I write and promote will help young people in my position not make the same mistakes I did and for them to realise that they have greater potential than they may realise.
While the ‘Jumpstart’ programme encourages young people to grow their skills through interactive workshops and training programs, I can assuredly say that volunteering for TesYouth has helped me, someone in their late twenties, build confidence in my own abilities.
I have been able to work on a project in the two roles I have always envisioned working in – Content Writing and Social Media. Never having worked in either of these fields I was concerned that lack of experience would hinder my chances. However, as their ethos promotes TesYouth want to give opportunities to those who lack experience but possess the capability. For the first time, I have the confidence to apply for full-time jobs in these roles, believing in my abilities through the encouragement and creative freedom I have been given.
I now have first-hand experience in helping a project take shapes and the joys that come seeing my part within the overall result. I have been able to develop my writing skills, learn how to sell and market a product and develop my abilities as a team leader. All of this would not have been possible if I hadn’t taken a chance on applying and I highly recommend anyone in a similar position to I was to do the same.
Looking forward I would encourage anyone straight out of education to consider volunteering for a charity like TesYouth I would like to hope that those reading my story will consider the benefits, this small step can have towards the big jump that may seem too distant to reach. It is never too late to get the job you have always wanted and TesYouth is the perfect place to start.”
Article written by Lauren Benali & graphics designed by Issy Howell
